Have you ever looked at the water in your home and wondered: Is my tap water safe to drink?
While your drinking water may look clean, it could contain harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, and even bacteria. This fact stands regardless of your water source.
Did you know that private wells which serve around 15 million Americans are not strictly monitored? City water, on the other hand, though being monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), may sometimes contain excess disinfectant chemicals. If you do not know how to remove chlorine in tap water, or the rest of these disinfectants, you could be putting your family at health risk.
In this post, we'll go in depth to answer the questions "Is my tap water safe?" and "how do I know if my tap water is safe to drink?" Also, we’ll show you quick and simple ways to test your home water for safety plus methods of checking its quality.
What is the source of your home supply?
The quality of your drinking water usually depends on the source from which it comes. There are two main sources of home supplies:
City Water
This is supplied by a city council or a public utility and treated to meet minimum safety standards set by a government regulatory agency, such as the EPA in the USA.
However, it may contain contaminants that are not fully removed during the treatment process. For example, lead can leach into the supply from old pipes, while chemicals like chlorine and fluoride are added to it to kill bacteria but may not be safe for long-term consumption if in excess.
Well Water
This is drawn from a private well created by drilling into the ground. It is a sustainable source of supply, as it is drawn from underground aquifers, and is not impacted by drought conditions or natural disasters.
Well water is also often considered to have a better taste and odor compared to public water supplies, but it is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain and repair the well, which can be costly and time-consuming.
In addition, it is not treated or disinfected like public supplies, so it may contain hard water and high levels of salt, iron, or other minerals that can cause health problems over time.
Wondering: How do I make my well water safe to drink? By simply treating it first with purification or filter for water systems like reverse osmosis or carbon filtration.
What to look at in the water?
Many homeowners are concerned about water safety and often wonder: Is my water safe? The first step in checking the quality of your home water is to know what to look for.
If you’ve ever wondered: How do I know if my tap water is safe to drink? Or is my well water safe? Here are some of the most common warning signs that indicate that your home's water may not be safe for drinking.
Bad smell of the water
If there is a foul odor, it could mean that your pipes are being corroded by rust and scale buildup in the pipes, which can lead to contamination if not treated properly.
Taste of the water
The taste of your liquid should never be metallic or “metallic” tasting, as this could be a sign that a mineral scale has built up on your pipes and will eventually cause problems with the taste and smell of your water, as well as its ability to flow properly throughout your home.
The water’s color
If you notice an unusual color from the faucet in your kitchen sink, it could indicate problems with your plumbing system and/or lead pipe corrosion from years past.
Look for sediment in the water
If you've ever had a hard time seeing the bottom of your glass, this is a sign that there could be sediment in your home supply. It usually means your pipes are clogged with particles and other minerals that have been building up over time; this can lead to discoloration and even an unpleasant taste or smell of your liquid.
How can I get safe drinking water?
Your water might not be the safest for consumption, regardless of whether you’re getting it from a city or well source. Installing water filters for the whole house is an effective way to ensure that you're getting clean drinking water.
Is filtered water safe?
Absolutely. It’s not only safe but also environmentally friendly and cost-effective. However, it's important that you choose the best apartment water filter for your needs from a trusted dealer such as Filterway.
Conclusion
Regular testing and proper filtration systems can help detect and remove contaminants from your supply, ensuring it is safe for drinking and cooking. Remember, taking charge of your home's water safety is a crucial step in safeguarding the health of you and your loved ones.
